Australia's bowlers were made to toil for wickets on the opening day of their second warm-up match against India A in Chennai. After deciding to bat, India A were led by their captain Gautam Gambhir, who struck a hundred only days after being dropped for the first two Tests against Australia. It was his first first-class hundred since his 116 against Bangladesh in January 2010.

He was accompanied by Jiwanjot Singh in an opening partnership of 67 before Jiwanjot edged Xavier Doherty to Shane Watson at first slip. Gambhir was going strong and brought up his half-century with two consecutive sixes off left-arm spinner Ashton Agar. His innings also ended with a catch to Watson, giving Moises Henriques his only wicket for the day.

Rohit Sharma, also eyeing a place in the Test squad, struck form with a half-century that included eight fours and three sixes. Rohit and Abhishek Nayar were dismissed in consecutive overs from Doherty, the only Australian bowler to show any signs of success against the Indian batsmen.

India A were 272 for 4 and Manoj Tiwary and CM Gautam put on 66 and batted until stumps. Tiwary was unbeaten on 77 and Gautam on 34. Tiwary's innings was competition to Rohit's half-century as the two are on the fringes of the India Test squad.

Opening bowlers Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle bowled 30 overs together, including nine maidens, but failed to pick any wickets. Spinners Nathan Lyon and Agar were expensive in their spells, Lyon conceding 97 in his 20 overs and Agar conceding 78 runs at six runs per over.

Don't judge the pitch until both sides have batted. I think it's likely we won't find the sailing as plain as India A have. Positives for the day: we learned not to flirt with Agar in the Test side: his time will come, but against India in India at the age of 19 is not it. Doherty is obviously selectable, and was a good pick for this tour as he is the most "Indian" of our spinners (i.e. bowls flat, looks for sidespin and assistance from the pitch). Lyon the big concern - needs to learn that flight and overspin, looking for bounce, are not the way to go in India. He will be better for this run, but even if the surface is not helpful, he must be able to tie up an end, because the Indian spinners will. And yes, this five-man attack (minus Agar) should play the Test match, and Maxwell should not. In a Test, the workloads would be different: Watson gave all three spinners a lot of bowling today, and that wouldn't happen in a Test in the same circumstances.

POSTED BY
Al_Bundy1
on | February 16, 2013, 16:32 GMT

Gambhir and Sehwag should be made to prove their worth in Ranji Trophy for a couple of years. Only when they prove themselves, should they be given another chance. In the meantime, please give chances to people like Dhawan and Jaffer - they have been toiling in Ranji Trophy for years.

POSTED BY
Mary_786
on | February 17, 2013, 13:02 GMT

Though Warner is a key player for us, its good that Watson and Cowan may open in the first test as it allows us to see who is the better man for the job. I have been advocating Watson as the man as he is tailored made for opening but Cowan can prove me wrong in the first test. Ian Chappell made some very good points today on why Watto should open too. Hughes and Khawaja didn't get to settle in today but both can be key players for us in the series as well. Very worried about Lyon but this game proves we may need to go with pace bowlers.. From the looks of things the lineup will be Watson, Cowan, Hughes, Khawaja, Clarke, Henriques, Wade, Siddle, Starc, Johnson, Lyon

POSTED BY
Jayzuz
on | February 17, 2013, 12:45 GMT

Come on, @ Simoc. The reason the quicks didn't bowl much was because of the pitch - AND because of the paranoia about injuries. The management doesn't want them exerting themselves too hard before the first test. Quite clearly there is a ten over per day limit which has been set down. If they actually had the agenda of winning the game they wouldn't be giving the coffee boy twenty overs, LOL. Since when does a net bowler play for Australia? (Agar). One of the strangest things I've ever seen. As for the late collapse, this was pure bad tactics in becoming too defensive in the last hour before stumps. Australia was motoring along at six runs an over before that. Then after Khawaja came in, there was only 4 runs scored in 70 deliveries as they tried to bat out till tea. If they were playing against world class bowlers that might be understandable, not handy spinners who average in the 30s and 40s respectively. I doubt Clarke would have let that stupidity happen.

POSTED BY
GRVJPR
on | February 17, 2013, 12:02 GMT

@Rumy1 Dead as a dodo pitch is proving too much for the Aussies. Very Ordinary Display from the visitors so far, your favorite visitors.

POSTED BY
Shaggy076
on | February 17, 2013, 11:13 GMT

Wow a lot of English supporters commenting on a practise match in India you can only conclude that they may be worried. It seems to be a decent hit-out most players now had a feel for the conditions and will be ready to go come the important stuff. Lyon improved on day 2, Siddle and Starc bowled tidy on batsman friendly conditions. Lets see how the tests go. Still not sure what way the Aussies will go come the first test would love to see Watson back opening but Cowan has done well in both warm up games.

POSTED BY
Simoc
on | February 17, 2013, 11:02 GMT

So eight out of the ten wickets to the Oz spinners. I'm thinking this is going to be a recurring theme throughout the tests. It seems the quicks control the scoring well but that's about it. Maybe Maxwell will come into test consideration. Good to see the Oz openers so positive.

POSTED BY
Jayzuz
on | February 17, 2013, 10:45 GMT

At least get your eyesight tested before posting here, @FFL. Lyon conceded exactly 3.68 runs per over, not 5 as you stste, which is exactly 1 run and over LESS than the Indian bowlers are now conceding at the time of posting. Even Cowan is motoring along. Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

POSTED BY
pommy80
on | February 17, 2013, 9:55 GMT

Must be embarrassing for Aussie fans knowing Lyon can only get tailenders out.

POSTED BY
Front-Foot-Lunge
on | February 17, 2013, 9:20 GMT

After another humbling day in Indian conditions for Australia, we can safely conclude that : Siddle - Useless. Starc - Useless & Impotent. The less said about the rest the better, but let's not forget Lyon's '5 an over' of seam in which he tried his best but continues to remind us all of the fact he's not worthy of a test cap, but continues to be picked as an open admission by Australia that there's really no one else in Australia that could fill the 'spinners' role. Agar goes at 6 and over for 20 overs but is really anyone surprised? And let's not forget some guy called Doherty too, who had his career virtually ended last Ashes by Mr 766 and co. Time to rethink yet again Australia.

POSTED BY
Slysta
on | February 16, 2013, 20:52 GMT

Don't judge the pitch until both sides have batted. I think it's likely we won't find the sailing as plain as India A have. Positives for the day: we learned not to flirt with Agar in the Test side: his time will come, but against India in India at the age of 19 is not it. Doherty is obviously selectable, and was a good pick for this tour as he is the most "Indian" of our spinners (i.e. bowls flat, looks for sidespin and assistance from the pitch). Lyon the big concern - needs to learn that flight and overspin, looking for bounce, are not the way to go in India. He will be better for this run, but even if the surface is not helpful, he must be able to tie up an end, because the Indian spinners will. And yes, this five-man attack (minus Agar) should play the Test match, and Maxwell should not. In a Test, the workloads would be different: Watson gave all three spinners a lot of bowling today, and that wouldn't happen in a Test in the same circumstances.

POSTED BY
Al_Bundy1
on | February 16, 2013, 16:32 GMT

Gambhir and Sehwag should be made to prove their worth in Ranji Trophy for a couple of years. Only when they prove themselves, should they be given another chance. In the meantime, please give chances to people like Dhawan and Jaffer - they have been toiling in Ranji Trophy for years.

POSTED BY
Mary_786
on | February 17, 2013, 13:02 GMT

Though Warner is a key player for us, its good that Watson and Cowan may open in the first test as it allows us to see who is the better man for the job. I have been advocating Watson as the man as he is tailored made for opening but Cowan can prove me wrong in the first test. Ian Chappell made some very good points today on why Watto should open too. Hughes and Khawaja didn't get to settle in today but both can be key players for us in the series as well. Very worried about Lyon but this game proves we may need to go with pace bowlers.. From the looks of things the lineup will be Watson, Cowan, Hughes, Khawaja, Clarke, Henriques, Wade, Siddle, Starc, Johnson, Lyon

POSTED BY
Jayzuz
on | February 17, 2013, 12:45 GMT

Come on, @ Simoc. The reason the quicks didn't bowl much was because of the pitch - AND because of the paranoia about injuries. The management doesn't want them exerting themselves too hard before the first test. Quite clearly there is a ten over per day limit which has been set down. If they actually had the agenda of winning the game they wouldn't be giving the coffee boy twenty overs, LOL. Since when does a net bowler play for Australia? (Agar). One of the strangest things I've ever seen. As for the late collapse, this was pure bad tactics in becoming too defensive in the last hour before stumps. Australia was motoring along at six runs an over before that. Then after Khawaja came in, there was only 4 runs scored in 70 deliveries as they tried to bat out till tea. If they were playing against world class bowlers that might be understandable, not handy spinners who average in the 30s and 40s respectively. I doubt Clarke would have let that stupidity happen.

POSTED BY
GRVJPR
on | February 17, 2013, 12:02 GMT

@Rumy1 Dead as a dodo pitch is proving too much for the Aussies. Very Ordinary Display from the visitors so far, your favorite visitors.

POSTED BY
Shaggy076
on | February 17, 2013, 11:13 GMT

Wow a lot of English supporters commenting on a practise match in India you can only conclude that they may be worried. It seems to be a decent hit-out most players now had a feel for the conditions and will be ready to go come the important stuff. Lyon improved on day 2, Siddle and Starc bowled tidy on batsman friendly conditions. Lets see how the tests go. Still not sure what way the Aussies will go come the first test would love to see Watson back opening but Cowan has done well in both warm up games.

POSTED BY
Simoc
on | February 17, 2013, 11:02 GMT

So eight out of the ten wickets to the Oz spinners. I'm thinking this is going to be a recurring theme throughout the tests. It seems the quicks control the scoring well but that's about it. Maybe Maxwell will come into test consideration. Good to see the Oz openers so positive.

POSTED BY
Jayzuz
on | February 17, 2013, 10:45 GMT

At least get your eyesight tested before posting here, @FFL. Lyon conceded exactly 3.68 runs per over, not 5 as you stste, which is exactly 1 run and over LESS than the Indian bowlers are now conceding at the time of posting. Even Cowan is motoring along. Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

POSTED BY
pommy80
on | February 17, 2013, 9:55 GMT

Must be embarrassing for Aussie fans knowing Lyon can only get tailenders out.

POSTED BY
Front-Foot-Lunge
on | February 17, 2013, 9:20 GMT

After another humbling day in Indian conditions for Australia, we can safely conclude that : Siddle - Useless. Starc - Useless & Impotent. The less said about the rest the better, but let's not forget Lyon's '5 an over' of seam in which he tried his best but continues to remind us all of the fact he's not worthy of a test cap, but continues to be picked as an open admission by Australia that there's really no one else in Australia that could fill the 'spinners' role. Agar goes at 6 and over for 20 overs but is really anyone surprised? And let's not forget some guy called Doherty too, who had his career virtually ended last Ashes by Mr 766 and co. Time to rethink yet again Australia.

POSTED BY
sents2013
on | February 17, 2013, 9:10 GMT

Gambhir deliberately not playing well under Dhoni, just to make him as captain. See when he fields, he never dives in the boundary or when he leaves a catch, his reaction will be so what?. Creates a suspicion of being very selfish Gambhir, if it is true, than not a good attitude.

POSTED BY
Mervo
on | February 17, 2013, 8:51 GMT

How embarrassing for Nathan Lyon.

POSTED BY
Rumy1
on | February 17, 2013, 8:30 GMT

A 100 on a dead as a dodo pitch doesn't mean anything.Tiwary also had a 100 and Rohit a 70 on this pitch.Gambhir needs to spend atleast 6 months with India A and make a few 1st class100s before he is again considered for Team India.India's next 4 series are tours abroad.Gauti's troubles have been on fast and lively tracks and he needs to iron out those deficiencies before he is reconsidered.He has made enough damage to Team India's fortunes by playing on reputation.Gambhir needs to score at least 2-3 more hundreds playing abroad with India A before his name is even brought up in Team selection discussions.Jaffer must get a look in for the third Test.Don't think Vijay and Dhawan are answers to our Test opening woes.Sehwag would be scratchy in Chennai.Hope he comes out trumps against likes of Siddle,Starc,Lyon and Doherty. Jaffer should also have played the India A game.Gambhir got into India A despite not being an original choice but Jaffer wasn't given the same opportunity. Unfair na??

POSTED BY
dunger.bob
on | February 17, 2013, 6:42 GMT

Honestly, that result is a bit disappointing but then again it's a warm up match. The idea is to get a bit of hardening to the conditions without revealing your hand too much. ... in theory. .. But this is big time cricket ! Against an Indian team ! .. it's sort of hard to believe that all of our bowlers were able to keep their cards THAT close to their chests. .. especially when you consider that we have 3 dudes bowling off for 2, or maybe even just a single place. .. I would say that either the Aussie players are showing some remarkable discipline or it's a case off "Houston, we have a problem".

POSTED BY
TheGecko
on | February 17, 2013, 5:22 GMT

@anexpat and others who say Rohit has blown his opportunities: Rohit is yet to debut in Test cricket. Please refrain from judging players based on their LOI performances and apply the same yardstick to test cricket. Rohit has been a failure in the ODI format, and his selection for ODIs should not be considered, rightly so. But selection for tests should be based ONLY on performance in first class cricket. Oh, if only our selectors realize this!

POSTED BY
on | February 17, 2013, 5:17 GMT

congrats to gauti for a 100 which made him comeback to his older test form. I hope so that he gets selected in team for the first and second test against the Ozs.

POSTED BY
RajeshNaik
on | February 17, 2013, 3:07 GMT

Gautam Gambhir has to sit out of test team for some time. This century was good. But he needs to get his thoughts together and act together before he gets back to test team. In the mean time other young players can be given chance.

POSTED BY
Moppa
on | February 17, 2013, 2:49 GMT

@landl47, I actually think it clears up the selections for the first Test. Doherty's moderate success yesterday and Lyon's position as incumbent will probably lead the selectors to pick both. Whilst I have been critical of Doherty's selection for this tour, maybe @Slysta has seen something that could give one confidence that Doherty will have some success in the Tests over there (fingers crossed). Added to that, Henriques' respectable performance will probably encourage the selectors to go with him at 7 and two specialist pacemen (for me, Pattinson and Siddle). I'm hopeful that Henriques' accurate, skidding style can be effective. Whether his batting against spin will offer much is another matter...

POSTED BY
on | February 17, 2013, 1:35 GMT

@ Land47 .... don't be too harsh on Starc, Siddle and Henriques. From all accounts it was a flat pitch and the batsmen only scored at 2-runs an over off them.

POSTED BY
Dashgar
on | February 17, 2013, 0:06 GMT

I think Henriques has bowled himself to a test debut here. Good on him. I'm personally not too worried about our bowling when the real stuff starts cos India's batting can be so brittle. This is India, the toss will be key each match, we need to start well, but we've got a team that can win here.

POSTED BY
ruester
on | February 16, 2013, 23:48 GMT

First century for three years! How was Gambhir allowed to coast in the Indian team for so long? He is one of the many Indian players who feel so comfortable and safe from the drop that they don't put the effort in to perform, hence the appalling performances of the test side in the last few years. I will always remember and be disgusted at the lack of fight and eagerness to fly back home to India with the smallest niggle during the England series. A player should take pride in representing their country even if things are tough. The only player who demonstrated the right attitude was Dravid. the Indian test side will never improve if the same side is always selected and nobody feels under pressure. Prime culprits are Sehwag, Gambhir and Tendulkar.

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 23:07 GMT

Tomorrow match start will be delayed due to rains in Chennai

POSTED BY
Meety
on | February 16, 2013, 23:06 GMT

Prefer to have the A-side down to 6 or 7 wickets by Stumps. BCCI have seemed to change their policy a bit in regards this tour side. The top 6 players have batting averages over 50, with at least 2 of them near 60. Surprised that Doherty did so well, genuinely did not believe he would succeed, they were good scalps. Oz's innings will put some perspective on India's performance.

POSTED BY
Chris_P
on | February 16, 2013, 22:51 GMT

@ Cpt.Meanster. Not sure why you compromise yourself when making inane statements about your "accurate predictions" but I do recall you "accurately" predicted victory over England in England (3-0 if I recall), Australia (2-1) & England in India (I think 2-0). I guess when you get one right it counts as "accurate". Knock yourself out though. As for the game, it is a trial game, nothing more. We have seen the results of past trial games in many countries & nothing suggests this will be any different.

my test xi from 1 year from now will include sehwag,gambhir[c],pujara,kohli,raidu,tiwary,dhoni,ojha,rasool,yadav,kumar

POSTED BY
TM
on | February 16, 2013, 20:49 GMT

hopefully jiwanjot and rohit will be selected in the team for the 3rd and 4th tests

POSTED BY
anexpat
on | February 16, 2013, 20:41 GMT

Pleased for Tiwary but not sure about Rohit and Gambhi though. Tiwary has constantly been ignored and should be considered ahead of Rohit . I am afraid he has had his chances and he has blown them. Gambhir has an attitude problem and should play in domestics to prove that he is ready to come back.

POSTED BY
Mervo
on | February 16, 2013, 20:24 GMT

If Gambir made runs, it must be a terribly slow wicket with his reflexes. Still as long as the Australian selectors keep looking for rainbows and not developing players, they will struggle. Agar? Maybe in 2 years. When he has earned it. India needs to develop some balance in their wickets. SA and Australia have done so and good spinners can do well. India will never improve unless they ditch the dead dry pitch.

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 20:19 GMT

@ Cpt.Meanster ..... I think that you are just one of many who thought that Aust spinners would not be up to the task. Though there is a long way to go, and people have been know to rapidly improve, you have to worry when journos refuse to write the obvious. Agar certainly has potential, but it is impossible to believe that he is in line to be immediately capped.

Again the question must be asked .... "Why wasn't O'Keefe selected??"

POSTED BY
landl47
on | February 16, 2013, 20:04 GMT

This has rather put the cat among the pigeons for the Aus selectors. The only bowlers to come out of today looking good were the lightly-rated Doherty and the allrounder Henriques. Unless there's a dramatic change on day 2, it really hasn't helped Aus decide on their best side.

However, this is only a warm-up match. Since it wasn't shown anywhere, it's not possible to say exactly how good or bad everyone looked. I will make a bold prediction- Agar will be playing Shield cricket again pretty soon.

@Cpt.Meanster: your 'accurate prediction' for the India v. England tests was that England would be whitewashed. I don't think the Aussies will be losing any sleep over your predictions (or, of course, mine, should I make any).

POSTED BY
Angry_Bowler
on | February 16, 2013, 20:00 GMT

This guy will be back in the team and the story will repeat once again. Centuries on flat pitches and ducks on overseas seaming pitches.

Nothing to wonder becouse the pitch they playing is not even 1st class quality pitch and its flat nothing to offer for bowlers...

POSTED BY
Manu_reddy
on | February 16, 2013, 19:07 GMT

Test Team shud b like this after sachin retires:1&2:sehwag/gambir(make him captain if he stops poking r else kohli shud b given captaincy irrespective of his behaviour)/davan/chand(defends on conditions) 3.pujara 4.rohith/rayudu 5.kohli/thiwari 6.gautham/patel 7.irfan/jaddu(defends on conditions)8&9. 2 spinners from ashwin/rasool/ojha/nadeem (while playing in subcontinent n 1 spinner while playing outside d subcontinent)9.yadav 10.zak(if he is fully fit) 11.bk/shami/aron/ishanth n am pretty sure that this team with some hardwork,improvement in their skills n with some experience can really become a good team that can play in all conditions...i hope to c this team soon....

POSTED BY
Cpt.Meanster
on | February 16, 2013, 18:51 GMT

GOD ! sometimes I despise my accurate predictions. I predicted the Aussie spinners won't be a real threat in the tour game and VOILA ! This goes to show how ineffective the Australian spinners will be on this tour. It's not just coming up to the crease and trying to bowl spin, it's about strategy, skills, and temperament. Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann possessed those qualities and they outsmarted the Indian batsmen on many occasions. Shane Warne used to have those same qualities as well which is what made him one of the best spinners to play the game. Indian pitches will ALWAYS be flat or placid, it's up to bowlers to find ways to neutralize the runs. The Australians will have a tough time on this tour. Their bowling in such conditions will be severely tested. I am sure the Indian batsmen will regain some much needed test match form in the coming month and half.

POSTED BY
Surajrises
on | February 16, 2013, 18:50 GMT

I am so happy that Gautam Gambhir has struck form at the right time... He might not be in the 1st 2 tests but hope he gets back into the team for the 3rd and the 4th Test Match...

POSTED BY
xylo
on | February 16, 2013, 18:36 GMT

On the plus side, Gambhir scored a century, so his stocks have risen. On the flip side, Rohit Sharma scored 70+, which makes Gambhir's score worth 112 - 77 = 35 in the international scene :(

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 17:46 GMT

INDIAN FUTURE TEST XI Should be Rahane, Rohit, Pujara, Virat, M Tiwary, Rayudu(Please groom him as a wicket keeping batsmen), Jadeja(in india)/Nayar (as a seamin allrounder very effective with old ball reverse swing), Ashwin/Bhajji, Ojha, Yadav, Kulkarni/Shami Ahmed/Ishwar pandey..!! and the back up should be Raina, Ishant, Jiwanjoth singh, Saha/Tare, Aaron, Manish Pandey, Iqbal Abdulla,Sreesanth..!! I know it is very difficult to happen, but when it happen this team will be as good as any team in the world. Even the like of Steyn & Co, Staarc & Co, Gul & Co, Anderson & co will have to really fight hard to win matches.

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 17:17 GMT

Gambhir is a far better player than vijay and dhawan. i dint know why the selectors are keen on neglecting gambhir though he got two half centuries and two scores of 40 plus in the previous where all batsmen failed except pujara.

POSTED BY
Rumy1
on | February 16, 2013, 16:50 GMT

A hundred on a dead dodo pitch doesn't mean anything.Rohit and Tiwary also70s and 80s on this pitch.Gambhir needs to spend atleast six months with India A and hits a few 1st class100s before he is again considered for Team India.India's next 4 series are tours abroad.Gauti's troubles have been on testing and lively tracks and he needs to iron out those deficiencies before he should be reconsidered.He has made enough damage to Team India's fortunes by playing on reputation.Gambhir needs to score at least 2-3 more hundreds playing abroad with India A before his name should even be brought in Team selection.Jaffer must get a look in for the third Test.Don't think Vijay and Dhawan are answers to our Test opening woes.Sehwag would be scratchy in Chennai.Hope he comes out trumps against likes of Siddle,Starc,Lyon and Doherty.Wasim Jaffer should also have played the India A game.Gambhir got into India A despite not being an original team but Jaffer wasn't given the same opportunity.Unfair na?

POSTED BY
aahahaa
on | February 16, 2013, 16:33 GMT

aussie spin isn't working is clear by the way discards like Gambhir and Rohit batted and CM G is batting. best chance for aussies , pick your best fast men and let it rip. comfort for clarke is that doni also doesnt have men who can run thro the aussies. the aussie batting probably will be the keey. evenly matched, the smarter captain will win it.

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 16:13 GMT

Gauti's performance today reminds me of my first boss (in 1959). He used to say, "Make the guy sit on a pit of burning coal, he will get up fast from his slumbering ways, and scurry around to finish his assigned tasks!". Keeping Sehwag out of the team for while, I hope, have similar effect. But, then Sehwag is Sehwag! And the 'shut-out' was for too short a period! Anyway, I would like to see the good old Veeru-Gouti combo, building up fabulous opening partnerships! Sooner, the better!

POSTED BY
Jayzuz
on | February 16, 2013, 16:12 GMT

@ManuV, Lyon has 31 wickets in his last 7 tests. Not bad for a terrible spinner. It's pretty clear the pitch is slow and flat, given that AUS hardly gave the quicks any overs at all. Gambhir couldn't score a run to save his life against these same bowlers in AUS.

POSTED BY
cricketanyday
on | February 16, 2013, 16:01 GMT

CM Gautam, good job so far, needs to keep up the good work tomorrow with glove work as well.With selectors watching the game, surely, some time in future he will be considered as a reserve keeper on overseas tours. The great man Dhoni is still the best at the moment.

POSTED BY
Bruisers
on | February 16, 2013, 15:54 GMT

@GlinnMgraw - Instead of blaming the pitch, why don't you just admit that your spinners are bad? Look how Swann, Panesar and Tredwell troubled the Indian batsmen on similar pitches. Your so-called spinners will get hammered even by Bangladesh.

POSTED BY
TRAM
on | February 16, 2013, 15:53 GMT

The pitch has got to be flat. Why? Because Gambhir, Rohit Sharma scored. When did they ever score in pace friendly pitches? Even in Aus/Eng tour by India, Gambhir chickened out after looking at green tops and let MVijay play those matches. We fans do not forget those.

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 15:48 GMT

Lyon is terrible.. The only way he gets wickets is because batsman get bored or over confident. No flight, turn or drift.. Aus should play with four quicks.

POSTED BY
GRVJPR
on | February 16, 2013, 15:46 GMT

@Gokul Maestro Not sure about that. It's Indian tactics to give wickets away to Doherthy so that they can hammer him in tests, based on your logic :)

POSTED BY
Apocalypse_EX
on | February 16, 2013, 15:13 GMT

Always let both the teams have their turn before judging a pitch flat or not. It still amazes me that Ajinkya Rahane,Rohit Sharma and Manoj Tiwary havent got a chance in tests yet when they average almost 60. Its true that India's domestic pitches inflate those averages a lot but still Raina only averages 43 I think and still got all those chances.

For Australia...far better and experienced spinners than Agar has gone for runs in India, so he shouldnt let his spirit down. Work hard in domestic cricket & the fellow should get his chance. I think he's far too talented not to play for Australia in the next 2 years.

POSTED BY
bumsonseats
on | February 16, 2013, 14:56 GMT

GlinnMgraw. lets wait till both teams bat on it before its a flat flat flat flat pitch. the indians playing mind games giving their wickets away to doherty so the aussies dont play their # 1 spinner in tests

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 14:52 GMT

Gambir in Team again?? I don't think so, he don't deserves a position after misusing his oppertunities. And how long sachin will play in no. 4?? If he plays for couple of years(?) bad luck for manoj and raidu.

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 14:50 GMT

Selecters again repeatedly making mistakes not picking Rohit for test. He is a perfect player for the test format having first class average over 60 in more thane 50 matches. I think he made his debue at wrong time when there were already Dravids, Laxmans and Gangullys. I remember in last OZ tour he was in the squad. He went there after winning 2 back to back MOS. He played first 2 practice matches and scored back to back fifties. But didnt find place cse Laxman and Dravid were there in playing 11. He waited more than 45 days without playing a singke match. Though repeatedly Laxman failed in all 8 innings, Rohit didnt get chance. And then everybody knows what happened to poor Rohit. He lost his form. In last Irani Triphy he didnt scored so he didnt get chance again in Indian squad. This way he will not get set atall. Selecters should try him for last two tests atleast. We can not waste a player like Rohit. He deserves chance. Today against Starch, Siddke again he showed his class.

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 14:23 GMT

Is it jut me or is it a tactic by the Aussies to purposefully give Gambhir and Rohit Sharma a lot of runs so they will get into the test team? Obviously with them in the team, it will get weakened giving the Aussies a much better chance. Might be a smart one!

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 14:22 GMT

This is how it should for a tour match - the bowlers getting lots of time in the middle. A couple more wickets would be encouraging but its better then bowling the opposition out in 30 or 40 overs. Nothing to be gained there. Hopefully our batsmen can also get some quality time at the crease.

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 14:19 GMT

I am excited for lyon, a classical off spinner. I have been following his career since he started.

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 14:12 GMT

@ Dinesh ...it must be nice seeing the prospective players play...

POSTED BY
GRVJPR
on | February 16, 2013, 13:59 GMT

@SamRoy If everyone can score on flat pitches then why R Ponting averaged just above 20 in India and Michael Clarke averaged 8.5 on last tour. It's just that Indian batsmen makes batting look easy on square turners (except for last series) that you think batting in India is easy. in fact while pitches in england, australia get more and more flat as game goes on, in India they start to deteriorate and take turn and keep low.

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 13:54 GMT

I was at the ground today to watch the match and I must say that CM Gautam looks a great prospect , he would be a great replacement for MS Dhoni . And Coming to the Australian Spinners well they are nothing to be feared off . Agar is trash I've seen Indian domestic spinners bowl better than him , Lyon is mediocre as well and Doherty inspite of picking up wickets today won't be threat , The Indian Batsmen bought about their own Demise it didn't have anything to do with Doherty bowling well . Australia will be better off playing with 3 quicks or even 4 quicks for that matter

POSTED BY
Thefakebook
on | February 16, 2013, 13:52 GMT

Looks like X is playing in Chennai,Lyon is good bowler and will bowl better in a real Test match not a warmup.I won't be surprise a bit if they pick Moises too to make a 5 men attack.Siddle and Starc will bowl way better in the actual match too.Agar should go back now.Xavier deserve better than this,good on you X.

POSTED BY
SamRoy
on | February 16, 2013, 13:44 GMT

Everyone can score on flat pitches but on a diffcult these guys will be the first to give their wickets away. Rayudu better than all of them (yes, even Rohit). Good to see Gambhir get a hundred. He should not be brought back into the test team at least for a couple of test series. He needs to value his wicket more and sort out his defensive weaknesses.

POSTED BY
electric_loco_WAP4
on | February 16, 2013, 13:44 GMT

Nothing much to read into the day ...... Gambir is a regular member of Ind team and
batting 1st on a typical beauty made use of inexp young bowlers..moreover the Aus
pacers were just bowling within selves and getting in rythm.... the case will be diff.
in real game and easily up 10-15 or more... Ks in speed in the tests. Think Ind A will
be wrapped up quick in the morning and a run feast by Aus batsmen for next 1 and
1/2 days is on offing .. think 1 or 2 Aus bats will decl. after their own 100s and the
new batters can hit it out and get 1 of their own...

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 13:39 GMT

I have become a cynic after seeing their repeated failures against quality bowling, especially abroad, but even in India. Did they lay a feather-bed to enable all-Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwari to score heavily?

Unfortunately, I did not watch the match today, but we have to really see as to whether these batsmen were indeed tested.

In fact, I have not seen Jivan Jyot Singh either, but the fact that he has scored his runs on the Mohali pitch is a clear indication that the boy can play pace. I wish I could say the same thing about so many others.

POSTED BY
agarkarno1
on | February 16, 2013, 13:39 GMT

India's batting strategy is clear...! see of the new ball, and then dominate the less quality spinners.

POSTED BY
www.cricketforever.net
on | February 16, 2013, 13:30 GMT

Agar should not be rushed into International cricket. Australia should go with 3 pacers and a spinner preferably Doherty. Agar is no more than a club cricketer right now though he is talented and may prove to be a quality player later.

POSTED BY
GRVJPR
on | February 16, 2013, 13:25 GMT

@cric_gates not at all, he averages 60.5 in South Africa you can see his record in south africa here http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/28763.html?class=1;host=3;template=results;type=allround

POSTED BY
xrocks
on | February 16, 2013, 13:21 GMT

Good to see Tiwari getting some runs..Selectors should prefer Tiwari to Rohit and unlike Rohit, Manoj never got his opportunities and was unlucky with injuries too..Gambhir was selfish against England and he paid the price..But if any of the openers fail in the first two tests,the selectors will obviously choose Gambhir. But he should be dropped atleast for this whole series so that he will realise that his place is not for granted...

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 13:15 GMT

Even when the Oz selectors announced the team, I did mention that among their spinners, Doherty Do Hurt Indian batsmen. Proving to be true at least in this inconsequential match.

POSTED BY
CRIC_FAN94
on | February 16, 2013, 13:13 GMT

Good batting by Gauti,Rohit,tiwary .Well done Guys.I hope the selectors bring rohit and tiwary into the test squad and see for some more consistency from gauti before letting him into the team.I think Rohit should be selected ahead of jadeja for the sixth position and should be promoted to 4th position after the retirement of SRT and then sixth position should be given to Rayudu or tiwary(i believe rayudu is quality player than tiwary)

POSTED BY
cric_gates
on | February 16, 2013, 13:03 GMT

Sachin.dravid,ganguly,vvs,sehwag are d Greats of Indian cricket as they have not only performed well in the subcontinent but abroad too.
G gambhir is nowhere near to it.he hit all his test centuries in India, 2 in Bangledesh n two in new zealand. That means he is totally flop in australia, england, south africa, srilanka, west indies.And now a days he is underperforming in India too.
How he could be given another chance despite having so poor record?he is really struggling in playing cricket.He havn't hit any test century since three year.

POSTED BY
RoJayao
on | February 16, 2013, 12:48 GMT

Gambhir much to prove after being dropped so no big surprise his century. Aussie bowlers slight concern but always knew Indian A batsmen would go after the spinners. Lyon going to have to bowl out of his skin!

POSTED BY
KingofRedLions
on | February 16, 2013, 12:43 GMT

Nothing like a flat, flat, flat, flat pitch, is there? Really good for the game.

POSTED BY
saikrish246
on | February 16, 2013, 12:32 GMT

well done gauti,rohit,tiwary

POSTED BY
ss2k
on | February 16, 2013, 12:30 GMT

hmm not to read too much into it. but i hope the selectors dont bring back gambhir in a hurry. he needs to prove his consistency again over at least the next 5 first clas matches before being brought in. that way , the newopeners would also be given a decent run of innings. and Indian selectors instead of selecting rohit over nad over agin in the t-20 and one day setup , please bring him into the test side and give him a run. he's proven himself in the longer format and they keep selecting him in the shortest format !! strange ways of the "wise men".

POSTED BY
Slysta
on | February 16, 2013, 20:52 GMT

Don't judge the pitch until both sides have batted. I think it's likely we won't find the sailing as plain as India A have. Positives for the day: we learned not to flirt with Agar in the Test side: his time will come, but against India in India at the age of 19 is not it. Doherty is obviously selectable, and was a good pick for this tour as he is the most "Indian" of our spinners (i.e. bowls flat, looks for sidespin and assistance from the pitch). Lyon the big concern - needs to learn that flight and overspin, looking for bounce, are not the way to go in India. He will be better for this run, but even if the surface is not helpful, he must be able to tie up an end, because the Indian spinners will. And yes, this five-man attack (minus Agar) should play the Test match, and Maxwell should not. In a Test, the workloads would be different: Watson gave all three spinners a lot of bowling today, and that wouldn't happen in a Test in the same circumstances.

POSTED BY
Al_Bundy1
on | February 16, 2013, 16:32 GMT

Gambhir and Sehwag should be made to prove their worth in Ranji Trophy for a couple of years. Only when they prove themselves, should they be given another chance. In the meantime, please give chances to people like Dhawan and Jaffer - they have been toiling in Ranji Trophy for years.

POSTED BY
ss2k
on | February 16, 2013, 12:30 GMT

hmm not to read too much into it. but i hope the selectors dont bring back gambhir in a hurry. he needs to prove his consistency again over at least the next 5 first clas matches before being brought in. that way , the newopeners would also be given a decent run of innings. and Indian selectors instead of selecting rohit over nad over agin in the t-20 and one day setup , please bring him into the test side and give him a run. he's proven himself in the longer format and they keep selecting him in the shortest format !! strange ways of the "wise men".

POSTED BY
saikrish246
on | February 16, 2013, 12:32 GMT

well done gauti,rohit,tiwary

POSTED BY
KingofRedLions
on | February 16, 2013, 12:43 GMT

Nothing like a flat, flat, flat, flat pitch, is there? Really good for the game.

POSTED BY
RoJayao
on | February 16, 2013, 12:48 GMT

Gambhir much to prove after being dropped so no big surprise his century. Aussie bowlers slight concern but always knew Indian A batsmen would go after the spinners. Lyon going to have to bowl out of his skin!

POSTED BY
cric_gates
on | February 16, 2013, 13:03 GMT

Sachin.dravid,ganguly,vvs,sehwag are d Greats of Indian cricket as they have not only performed well in the subcontinent but abroad too.
G gambhir is nowhere near to it.he hit all his test centuries in India, 2 in Bangledesh n two in new zealand. That means he is totally flop in australia, england, south africa, srilanka, west indies.And now a days he is underperforming in India too.
How he could be given another chance despite having so poor record?he is really struggling in playing cricket.He havn't hit any test century since three year.

POSTED BY
CRIC_FAN94
on | February 16, 2013, 13:13 GMT

Good batting by Gauti,Rohit,tiwary .Well done Guys.I hope the selectors bring rohit and tiwary into the test squad and see for some more consistency from gauti before letting him into the team.I think Rohit should be selected ahead of jadeja for the sixth position and should be promoted to 4th position after the retirement of SRT and then sixth position should be given to Rayudu or tiwary(i believe rayudu is quality player than tiwary)

POSTED BY
on | February 16, 2013, 13:15 GMT

Even when the Oz selectors announced the team, I did mention that among their spinners, Doherty Do Hurt Indian batsmen. Proving to be true at least in this inconsequential match.

POSTED BY
xrocks
on | February 16, 2013, 13:21 GMT

Good to see Tiwari getting some runs..Selectors should prefer Tiwari to Rohit and unlike Rohit, Manoj never got his opportunities and was unlucky with injuries too..Gambhir was selfish against England and he paid the price..But if any of the openers fail in the first two tests,the selectors will obviously choose Gambhir. But he should be dropped atleast for this whole series so that he will realise that his place is not for granted...

POSTED BY
GRVJPR
on | February 16, 2013, 13:25 GMT

@cric_gates not at all, he averages 60.5 in South Africa you can see his record in south africa here http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/28763.html?class=1;host=3;template=results;type=allround

POSTED BY
www.cricketforever.net
on | February 16, 2013, 13:30 GMT

Agar should not be rushed into International cricket. Australia should go with 3 pacers and a spinner preferably Doherty. Agar is no more than a club cricketer right now though he is talented and may prove to be a quality player later.